HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 2025-31 - VAR 2025-08 - PA 2021-19RESOLUTION NO. 2025-31
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAKE
ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF VARIANCE NO.
2025-08 TO REDUCE THE REQUIRED FRONT YARD SETBACK FROM 15 FT. TO
6 FT. DUE TO SITE CONSTRAINTS FOR THE COMMERCIAL MANUFACTURING
FACILITY LOCATED AT APN: 371-150-017
Whereas, Guy Selleck, G.E.M. Investments, LLC has filed an application with the City of
Lake Elsinore (City) requesting approval of Planning Application No. 2021-19 (General Plan
Amendment No. 2022-01, Zone Change No. 2022-02, Conditional Use Permit No. 2022-17,
Commercial Design Review No. 2022-12, and Variance No. 2025-08) to develop the 6.77-acre
vacant site in two (2) phases with two (2) new two-story commercial manufacturing warehouse
buildings totaling 92,760 square feet. Each building is proposed to be approximately 46,000
square feet and would include mezzanines, offices, and loading docks. The project is located on
Grand Avenue and Kathryn Way and includes Assessor Parcel Number 371-150-017;
Whereas, Variance (VAR) No. 2025-08 to reduce the required front yard setback from 15
ft. to 6 ft. due to site constraints;
Whereas, pursuant to Section 17.415.080 (Variances), Section 17.410.070 (Approving
Authority), and Section 17.410.030 (Multiple Applications) of the Lake Elsinore Municipal Code
(LEMC), the Planning Commission (Commission) has been delegated with the responsibility of
making recommendations to the City Council (Council) pertaining to variance applications; and
Whereas, on September 16, 2025, at a duly noticed Public Hearing, the Commission has
considered evidence presented by the Community Development Department and other interested
parties with respect to this item.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAKE
ELSINORE DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: The Commission has considered the Project prior to making a
recommendation to the Council and has found it acceptable.
Section 2: The Commission has reviewed and analyzed the proposed project pursuant to
the California Planning and Zoning Laws (Cal. Gov. Code §§ 59000 et seq.), the Lake Elsinore
General Plan (GP), and the LEMC and finds and determines that the proposed project is
consistent with the requirements of California Planning and Zoning Law and with the goals and
policies of the GP and the LEMC.
Section 3: On October 21, 2025, after consideration and evaluation of all written reports
and comments and oral testimony presented by the Community Development Department and
other City departments, property owners, residents and other interested parties and such ot her
matters as are reflected in the record of the noticed Public Hearing on the Project, the Commission
adopted a resolution finding and determining that the Mitigated Negative Declaration (ER 2025-
02) (SCH No. 2025090173) is adequate and is prepared in accordance with the requirements of
CEQA.
Section 4: That in accordance with Section 17.415.080.F of the LEMC, the Commission
makes the following findings regarding Variance No. 2025-08:
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PC Reso. No. 2025-31
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1. Adequate conditions and safeguards pursuant to LEMC, Section 17.172.050 have been
incorporated into the approval of the variance to ensure development of the property in
accord with the objectives of the General Plan and the purpose of the planning distric t in
which the site is located.
Appropriate and applicable conditions of approval have been included to protect the public
health, safety, and general welfare. Further, compliance with the conditions of approval
will be reviewed during the plan check and inspection review process prior to commencing
construction and operations.
2. There are special circumstances, pursuant to the purpose of Chapter 17.415.080 of the
LEMC, applicable to the subject property which do not apply generally to other properties
in the neighborhood, and, therefore, granting of the variance shall not constitute a grant
of special privilege inconsistent with the limitations upon other properties in the vicinity
and district in which the subject property is located.
The applicant is requesting a variance due to the physical hardship based on the narrow
width of the lot and unique topographical and environmental constraints affecting the
property that would preclude them from having the same rights as the surrounding
properties. There is an active fault line and a sewer trunk line located at the rear of the
property that bisects the property. There are also known environmentally sensitive areas
located at the rear of the property. Even though the subject property is rectangular in
shape, its narrow width creates physical challenges with developing the lot that meets all
the required standards. All these factors limit the buildable area of the lot that is physically
suitable for construction. Granting the variance would not constitute a special privilege
because there are certain unique physical circumstances on the existing property that
would preclude the applicant from having the same development rights as the surrounding
properties.
3. In approving the variance, any reductions authorized from the strict interpretation of the
zoning ordinance represents the minimum deviation from this code necessary to fulfill the
purpose of this chapter and enable reasonable development of the property.
The proposed variance would reduce the front yard setback in order to allow the applicant
to reasonably develop their project consistent with the other lots located adjacent to the
project area. The proposed variance represents the minimum deviation necessary to
enable reasonable development of the property in a manner consistent with the
surrounding area.
4. Granting of the variance will not constitute a grant of special privileges inconsistent with
the limitations upon other properties in the vicinity and zone district in which the property
is situated.
Granting the variance would not constitute a special privilege because there are certain
unique physical circumstances on the existing property unlike the other properties within
the vicinity with the same zone that do not have the same physical hardships and could
develop their property consistently with the C-M zoning district’s development standards
and requirements contained in the LEMC. Because of the physical hardships, it would
preclude the applicant from having the same development rights as the surrounding
properties.
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Section 5: Based upon the evidence presented, the above findings, and the Conditions
of Approval imposed upon the project, the Commission hereby approves Variance No. 2025-08.
Section 6: This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
Passed and Adopted on this 21st day of October, 2025.
John Gray
Chair
Attest:
_____________________________
Damaris Abraham
Community Development Director
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE )
I, Damaris Abraham, Community Development Director of the City of Lake Elsinore, California,
hereby certify that Resolution No. 2025-31 was adopted by the Planning Commission of the City
of Lake Elsinore, California, at a regular meeting held October 21, 2025 and that the same was
adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners Devor, Pease and Peters; and Chair Gray
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Vice Chair Carroll
Damaris Abraham
Community Development Director
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